Train-controlled switch-operating device



March 10, 1925.

J. G. SEEHORN TRAIN CONTROLLED SWITCH OPERATING DEVICE Filgd May 27,1924 I gv Mwnto'o J G. Seeko'r n,

Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES JACOB G. SEEHOR-N, F CANBY, OREGON,

ASSIGNOR O'F ONE-HALF TO D. V. TANT- LING-ER, OF LAWTON, OKLAHOMA.

TRAIN-CONTROLLED SWITCH-OPERATING DEVICE.

Application filed May 27, 1924. Serial No. 716,196.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB G. SEEHORN, a citizen or" the United States ofAmerica, residing at Canby, in the county of Clackamas I and State ofOregon, have invented new and useful Improvements in Train-ControlledSwitch-Operating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a switch operating mechanismof simple, cheap and eiiective construction and adapted for operation toselectively close and open it through means under control of theengineer or motorman driving the train.

With this purpose in view the invention consists in a certainconstruction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment isillustrated without defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a railroad track and connectedswitch showing the invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the forward end of the locomotiveshowing the train carried mechanism for operating the device.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the car carried mechanism and theoperating means therefor.

The invention contemplates a construction wherein the engineer ormotorman of a train or car traversing the track such as that indicatedat 1, may direct his train or car on to the branch or connected track 2by the actuation of the switch point 3 from the cab. To this end thereis mounted in the road bed between the rails of the track 1 and betweenthe switch points 3 a rotatable head 4 operatively connected withactuating rotatable heads 5 disposed between the rails of the track 1and in advance of and behind the head 4, the operative connectionsconsisting of flexible members 6 terminally secured to the heads 5 andencircling the head 4 and having their opposite terminals connected withthe switch points 3 as indicated at 7, the points being interconnectedfor simultaneous operation as in the usual practice the flexible members6 are connected at diametrically opposite sides of the rotatable heads 5and encircle the head 4 in the opposite direction, being connected withopposite switch points 3, so that in the rotation of the head 5 at onedirection, the switch points will be shifted laterally to one side andin the direction will be shifted laterally to the other side, so thatthe branch 2 may be brought into or out of communication with the maintrack 1. The position of the switch point is indicated by a suitablesignaling device 8 mounted on a rotatable standard 9 carrying near itsbase a spool 10 around which a flexible member 11 is wound, saidflexible member being also carried around the rotatable head 4. Sincebut slight angular movement of the head 4 is necessary to eiiect thedesired shifting of the switch points, whereas an angular movement of 90is necessary to operate the signal, the diameter of the spool 10 isreduced below the diameter of the rotatable head 4 so that the necessaryproportion of diameters is such that an angular movement of 90 takesplace in the signal arm for a comparatively slight angular movement ofthe rotatable head 4.

In order that the switch points may be positively held in the positionsto which they are moved by the operation of the heads 4 and 5, theformer is provided with radial arms 12 for abutting engagement with theinner side faces of the switch points to hold them in their setpositions, the one to establish communication throughout the main trackand the other to establish communication between the main track and thebranch 2.

Undue shock in the operation of the switch points is provided against bythe inclusion in the flexible members 6, of coiled springs 13.

The rotatable heads 5 are designed for actuation by train carried meanssuch as arms 14 swingingly mounted on the locomotive on opposite sidesof the latter and have engagement respectively with radial arms 15carried on the rotatable heads 5. If one arm 100 14 is lowered, itrot-ates the head 5 in one direction with the consequent movement of theswitch points to efiect their movements in the desired direction,reverse movement to the switch points being secured by the opera- 105tion of the head 5 by the other arm which when lowered engages one ofthe radial arms 15 to turn the head in the opposite direction thanformerly. It being essential that means be p id d p eclud n th loweri gILA of both: arms 14 at the same time; they are gine cab a'ndpivota'llymounted at a central point 18. The position of the rocker 17transversely of the cab results in the elevation of both arms asufici-ei'itdistance to clear the rotary heads 5. Desiring to lower theone arm, the engineer grasps one of the handles 19 carried respectivelyat opposite ends of the rocker and i'nov-ing that forward will permitthe lowering of the arm 14 C011? nected bythe flexible member 16 withthat end of the rocker, the other arm being obviously elevated furtherfrom thetrack bed. The provision of the rocker positively precludes thelowering of both arms at once but the direction in which the rocker ismoved determines which arm l i shall be lowered and dictates thedirection in which the switch points will be moved.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In combination with a railroad switch, a rotary head mounted betweenthe switch points, an actuating rotary head disposed in advance of thefirst said rotary head and provided with radial armstor engagement by acar carried element, and flexible connections between the second saidrotary head and the switch points, said flexible connections traversingthe first said rotary head,

said first said rotary head being provided with radial arms forengagement with the inner faces'of the switch points.

, 2. In combination with a railroad switch, a rotary head mountedbetween the switch points, an actuating rotary head disposedin advanceof the first said rotary head and,

provided with radial arms torengagement by a car-carried element,flexible connections between both the said rotary heads, and opadvanceof the first said rotary head and adapted for actuation by a car-carriedelement, and operative connections between said rotary head.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. a I

JACOB G. SEEHORN.

